The Hill News

Freshman Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) will harshly criticize President Obama's budget priorities in a Senate speech on Tuesday.

Manchin, the first-term senator who won a competitive special election to fill the late Sen. Robert Byrd's (D) seat, and who must stand for reelection in 2012, will accuse Obama of having "failed to lead" on budget and spending issues.

"We will likely have votes on two proposals today, and both our options are extremely partisan and unrealistic. And neither one will pass,” Manchin will say, according to prepared excerpts.

“Why are we doing all this when the most powerful person in these negotiations  -- our President  -- has failed to lead this debate or offer a serious proposal for spending and cuts that he would be willing to fight for?” the West Virginia Democrat will add.

Manchin's been careful about crafting a centrist image for himself, mindful of the bruising battle he endured in 2010, an! d the tough challenge he's expected to face in 2012.

The former governor of West Virginia, Manchin sprinted toward the right upon securing the Democratic nomination to succeed Byrd, the long-serving voice of the state in the Senate. Manchin, for instance, opened the door to voting with Republicans to repeal healthcare reform, and memorably produced a campaign ad depicting him firing a rifle at a copy of the cap-and-trade bill.

For his part, Manchin rejected both the president's proposal to fund the government over the remainder of the fiscal year, as well as the Republican alternative, both of which are set for a vote today in the Senate.

Manchin called the votes a bit of "political theater," and suggested that the differences between the two parties on spending would only be resolved once Obama gets involved in a serious way.

"This debate will be decided when the President leads these tough negotiations. And, right now â€" th! at is not happening," Manchin will say. "Respectfully, I am as! king Pre sident Obama to take this challenge head on and propose a compromise plan for dealing with the our nation’s fiscal challenges."